MOBILE, Alabama – The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce received Wednesday the highest recognition bestowed in the United States for contributing to the expansion of U.S. exports.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker presented the local chamber with the President's "E" Star Award for Export Service during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., attended by Christina Stimpson, the chamber's director of international trade, and Troy Wayman, the chamber's vice president of economic development.

"E" Awards are bestowed based on four years of successive export growth, buoyed by case studies that illustrated measurable export increases for clients. Of the 66 total "E" Awards distributed, Mobile's Star award was one of only four bestowed nationwide.

The Mobile chamber previously received an "E" Award in 2005.

"International trade is an incredible job creator for our region. The work this chamber does in conjunction with the (U.S.) Department of Commerce is amazing, and receiving this recognition is validation of our successful trade efforts," Wayman said in a prepared statement.

Meanwhile, Pritzker praised "E" Award winners for playing a "crucial role in strengthening and growing" the U.S. economy via exports.

"By selling Made-in-America goods and services internationally, U.S. business can grow faster, hire more employees, pay higher wages, and help spread American ideas, innovation and values," Pritzker said in a press release.

According the U.S. Department of Commerce, total U.S. exports and goods and services hit an all-time record of $2.3 trillion in 2013.

Closer to home, the Alabama Department of Commerce reports statewide exports have increased 57 percent during the past five years and totaled $19.3 billion in 2013, with products and services shipped to nearly 200 countries.

"Receiving this award would not be possible without the chamber's relationship with the Alabama Department of Commerce and our Export Alabama Alliance partnership," Stimpson said, adding, "Knowing that our efforts are bettering our community is incredibly rewarding."